The introduction of a new fleet of Merseyrail trains is continuing to be hit by problems.
The new fleet of Class 777 trains have now been fully rolled out on the Kirkby line of the network, but teething problems with the introduction have led to cancellations and delays for commuters.
At one stage the entire fleet had to be temporarily taken off the network because of a software issue. Today a host of services on the Kirkby line were cancelled again.
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One commuter, who relies on the Kirkby line to get to work in Liverpool city centre, said she has struggled to get on one of the new trains for around a week.
She told the ECHO: "I commute to the city centre on the Kirkby line every day and for over a week now I have either had my trains cancelled or I've been on an old train.
"It seems like there's an issue with the new trains as they're not running properly on the line without cancellation or delay. I also regularly get the first train in but have needed to find alternative ways to work on three occasions recently because of last minute cancellations on the morning of travel."
The roll-out of the new trains hit a major milestone at the start of March with the Kirkby line full stocked with class 777s, but problems have persisted. Merseyrail insists any issues are simply teething problems that occur with the introduction of a major new fleet of vehicles.
The focus will now shift on to the Ormskirk line, which will be the next part of the Merseyrail network to receive the new trains. This will however mean temporary changes to timetables on the Ormskirk, Southport and Hunts Cross lines.
Suzanne Grant, commercial director at Merseyrail previously said: "The phased introduction of the new trains onto the Merseyrail network is progressing well. As with any new train entering service for the first time it’s not unusual to have to make some adjustments."
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